Farmer fined in Rockhampton court over roo meat

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A LONG-TIME farmer was fined yesterday for removing the carcasses of two kangaroos from the roadside during a pig hunting venture.

Rockhampton magistrate Cameron Press fined Gordon Darren Gee $400 after the 43-year-old pleaded guilty to a charge of taking a protected animal on October 26.

The court heard Gee thought he was doing the right thing in removing the carcasses to make sure they didn't cause any accidents.

However, having removed them, he then skinned and butchered the animals, planning to use the meat for dog food.

Police prosecutor Karen Dunham said officers from the rural stock squad of Rockhampton police spotted a number of kangaroo pieces, including tails, "in plain sight" in the tray of Gee's ute, which was parked outside The Great Western Hotel.

She said Gee told officers he didn't know he had done anything wrong.

Police seized Gee's knife and the remaining parts of the animal.

It was not alleged he killed the animals.

Gee's defence lawyer Jun Pepito said Gee had worked as a farmer for 25 years and had previously been employed by a company where he removed animal carcasses from the side of the road.

He said this was the first time he had been charged with this type of offence and he wouldn't make the same mistake again.